This Dublin suburban house, a semi detached from the 1950s, was restored to its former glory with a budget-friendly makeover. We bought the house 10 years ago; the same person had lived in it since it was built in the early 1950s. It was a three-bed semi detached end of terrace house,” explains Emma Blain […] More
Your trend and style guide to shopping around for what is arguably the most expensive piece of furniture you will purchase for your home, comparing traditional to contemporary. Kitchen showrooms can be an overwhelming place to be – what style is the right one? Do you choose from the current trends or opt for what […] More
Is it better to pump your new build cavity walls with EPS beads or add rigid board insulation? Find out how it’s done in Ireland. In this article we cover: A popular method of insulating new build cavity walls is to fill the gap in between the two leaves, either by pumping them with EPS […] More
Although simple paint will continue to be a favourite wall treatment, there are now many exciting alternatives that needn’t break the bank. An inexpensive way to start thinking about wall finishes is to see what you can do using your existing structural materials. Some are potentially great wall finishes in their own right. CONCRETE With […] More
Adjusting your heating controls can have the single biggest effect on the amount of energy you use in the home; here’s what you need to know about smart heating. In this article we cover: The factors influencing heat and warmth are specific to each human being, depending on age, fitness levels and even moods. Within […] More
The kitchen is nowadays at the centre of family life but for the self-builder it’s also at the heart of the budget. Here are the basics to design it successfully. It is a truth universally acknowledged – among kitchen designers, anyway – that kitchen planning for new builds should take place before anything is built, […] More
Top 5 tips to get you thinking about bathroom design: when to start planning, what to prioritise and to how to be budget savvy. In this article we cover: Because of its size the bathroom is often neglected and left last to plan, especially in a new build. Too often we just go out and […] More
Not only are certain types of insurance cover and warranties necessary to secure a mortgage, they’ll also help you hedge the risks which might affect you during building work. Without the necessary financial investment no self-build, extension or renovation project will reach a successful conclusion. And with investment comes risk, as we’ve been made acutely […] More
The key to a perfect kitchen isn’t just the ‘triangle’, it’s making sure it will adapt to your changing needs as a family. Roughly every five years your needs as a family will change. As the children grow up and, eventually move out of the house, you’ll see a shift in how living areas are […] More
Looking for new windows and doors in Ireland? Here are the main things you need to check for when window shopping. In this article we cover: When deciding which windows to choose, you must first and foremost ensure you satisfy any requirements stipulated when receiving planning permission and ensure you satisfy local and national Building […] More
For many self-builders and home improvers underfloor heating (UFH) is now the preferred method of emitting heat, but it’s a good idea to get to know how it works to get the most (the lowest energy bills possible) out of your system. You may remember UFH from the 1960s, when it was installed with inadequate […] More
Have you ever worn a woolly jumper on a windy day? To keep the shivers out the only solution is to don the coat or parka. Insulation and airtightness barriers work very much in the same way; in fact the analogy also extends to insulation becoming ineffective when wet. Photo taken by Fergal O’ Malley RIAI […] More